First-time mother dies from sudden cardiac event during labour; newborn son thrives

Chelsea McGillivray, 31, died from a sudden cardiac event during labour at Glasgow's Queen Elizabeth University Hospital on 24 August. Her newborn son Tommy was born safely and is thriving at home with his father. The family is being supported by a fundraiser that has raised over £85,000.

Chelsea McGillivray, a 31-year-old first-time mother from Rutherglen in South Lanarkshire, suffered an unexpected cardiac event while giving birth on 24 August at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow. Despite immediate resuscitation efforts by medical staff, she could not be saved. Her newborn son Tommy arrived safely and has since become, as his family describes him, the "light" sustaining them through their profound loss.

Chelsea's pregnancy had progressed without complication, with all prenatal tests returning normal results and no known underlying health conditions. When her waters broke at full term, she attended the hospital for assessment and was initially sent home. Her contractions intensified rapidly, prompting her to return to the labour ward accompanied by her partner Jack Mitchell, 31, and her mother.

Newborn baby Tommy in a cot. He has his hands up next to his head, his eyes closed and soft toy rabbit next to him. A blue balloon reads his name. — Tommy was born on 24 August at the QEUH in Glasgow

According to her sister-in-law Lorna McGillivray, the crisis unfolded with shocking speed.

She was in labour pain but she was still in good spirits and cracking jokes,

Lorna recalled. However, when Chelsea was moved to the delivery bed, her condition deteriorated suddenly.

She was talking one minute then the next, she wasn't.

The midwife immediately raised the alarm, and emergency teams began cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The entire sequence from Chelsea's arrival in the labour suite to Tommy's birth lasted approximately nine minutes.

Medical staff successfully delivered Tommy despite the emergency, and he was transferred to the neonatal intensive care unit for monitoring following the traumatic birth. Tommy returned home by 27 August after spending a couple of days in intensive care, arriving healthy and thriving with his father.

Newborn baby Tommy in a cot. He has his hands up next to his head, his eyes closed and he is wearing a blue sleep suit. — Chelsea's sister-in-law Lorna described Tommy as "perfect"

How is the family coping?

The McGillivray family is navigating an emotional landscape of grief and celebration simultaneously. Speaking to a national broadcaster's radio programme, Lorna described the emotional toll:

I don't think it has hit us yet, it doesn't feel real. We will be laughing and telling stories one minute then we're breaking down the next - so it's a rollercoaster at the moment.

She emphasised that Tommy's presence provides essential emotional anchor points.

We are all rallying around as much as we can and trying to navigate this new reality with baby Tommy here and Chelsea not.

Lorna spoke of Chelsea's character and her anticipation of motherhood.

She wasn't scared, she wouldn't have known this was going to happen and she held on long enough to get baby Tommy here,

Lorna said.

She would want us to celebrate him and not let the grief consume us.

Chelsea McGillivray. She is wearing a yellow top and smiling at the camera. — Chelsea's family said she could not wait to be a mum

What was Chelsea like?

Chelsea had been eagerly preparing for Tommy's arrival, organising a baby shower, gender reveal, and personalised nursery decor. Her enthusiasm for motherhood extended to her relationships with her nephews.

We knew what kind of mum she would be because she doted on my two boys - her nephews,

Lorna explained.

She was almost at full-term pregnancy and she was determined to take them to the park for a picnic, running about after them and playing.

Family members remember Chelsea for her vibrant personality.

She had this infectious laugh, she was the life and soul of everywhere and she just loved being around people.

Lorna recalled Chelsea's distinctive features:

Chelsea's big smile and dimples

remain vivid in moments of sadness for the family.

Chelsea McGillivray wearing a black dress with her partner Jack who is in a black suit, white shirt and black bow tie. They are standing together, smiling at the camera. — Lorna said Jack was "devastated" to have lost his partner but has taken to fatherhood well

How is Tommy's father managing?

Jack Mitchell is stepping into single parenthood while processing the loss of his partner. Despite the devastation, he is embracing fatherhood and honouring Chelsea's memory through meaningful gestures. Chelsea had arranged a newborn photoshoot before her death, and Jack intends to proceed with the session as planned.

Lorna acknowledged the impossible position Jack faces:

Nobody should have to go through losing the most important person in their life while she was bringing their baby into the world. Jack's obviously devastated but he is stepping up to what he needs to. We're all so proud of him and he's hooked to fatherhood like we all expected and knew he would.

Chelsea McGillivray and Lorna McGillivray. They are wearing blue dresses and smiling at the camera. There are blue balloons in the background. — Lorna described Chelsea's "big smile and dimples" and her "infectious laugh"

What financial support is available?

The family established a fundraiser to ease Jack's financial burden while he takes time away from his self-employed work to grieve and care for Tommy. By 29 August, the fundraiser had reached £74,480 of a £100,000 target, with the total now exceeding £85,000 according to the family.

Lorna explained the significance of the financial support:

He needs to spend time with Tommy and grieve without worrying about finances. It will never bring Chelsea back or take away the pain but it takes the pressure off. I keep saying to him: 'You don't need to look at it as money, just look at it as time. It gives you more time.'

What is known about Chelsea's death?

The cause of Chelsea's death has not yet been confirmed beyond the fact that her heart stopped during labour. All of her prenatal screening had been normal, and she had no documented medical conditions that would have predicted such an event. The family described her pregnancy as textbook, making the sudden cardiac event entirely unexpected.

Lorna reflected on the shocking nature of what occurred:

They thought she was maybe panicking and couldn't catch her breath. She was talking one minute then the next, she wasn't.

Hospital context and ongoing scrutiny

Chelsea's death occurred at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, which has faced separate recent scrutiny. Healthcare Improvement Scotland has criticised the maternity service over delays and staffing issues. Additionally, Scotland's independent prosecution and deaths investigation service was reported in February 2026 to be examining seven fatalities at the hospital for possible links to the hospital environment.

The broader context of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde's maternity services remains under examination as part of wider systemic reviews. The Scottish Hospitals Inquiry held its final hearings in January 2026, with its comprehensive report expected by the end of 2026.

A spokesperson for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde stated:

Our heartfelt condolences are with Chelsea's family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.

Key facts

Chelsea McGillivray, 31, suffered an unknown cardiac event during labour on 24 August at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow
Her son Tommy was born safely and spent two days in neonatal intensive care before returning home healthy
All of Chelsea's prenatal tests were normal and she had no known underlying health conditions
A fundraiser for the family has raised more than £85,000 to support Tommy's father Jack while he takes time to grieve and care for his newborn son
The cause of Chelsea's death remains unconfirmed pending further investigation